Page 97 of Famous Last Words
Silence ensues. An overwhelming silence, and I’m suddenly terrified I just made a huge mistake. But then I feel a hand on my thigh, and I look at Fran to find the hint of a smile ghosting her lips as she squeezes my leg in a show of support.
“Is this because of what happened over the summer?” Dallas asks after a moment.
“Yeah, but even before the summer, I was never a big drinker. My dad was an alcoholic,” I mutter.
“Shit, man,” Happy hisses. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay,” I shrug. “But yeah, after what went down, I realized I didn’t like who I was when I was drunk, and I didn’t like the way it affected me, so… I stopped.”
“Good for you, bro,” Dallas says, slapping me on my back.
“Yeah, but you don’t need to pretend in front of us,” adds Logan.
“No, I know.” I shake my head. “I don’t even know why I lied about it.”
“Are you okay with us drinking around you?” Dallas quirks a brow, his gaze flitting from me to the beer in his hand.
I chuckle. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Thank fuck for that,” Happy says with a relieved sigh, lifting his beer to his lips and tossing back a few hearty gulps.
I roll my eyes, clinking my Coke with Logan’s bottle, and thankfully that eases the tension around the table enough for everyone to start talking about normal shit.
Fran’s hand is still on my thigh, and I glance at her, suddenly nervous. I’m not sure if the whole non-drinking thing is something I should have talked to her about before telling everyone. I wanted to. But I didn’t. I think, deep down, it felt like it was too much. Like something arealboyfriend would tell hisrealgirlfriend. And although the lines between us have been blurred at least a few times, I know we’re still notreal.
With reluctance, I meet her eyes, and I’m surprised to find nothing but pride in her gaze. I don’t know why, but I was almost expecting her to be pissed at me.
“Wanna come help me pick out a song on the jukebox?” she asks, her voice low, and I know what she’s really asking me. She wants to talk to me privately. I nod, hopping up from my chair and holding my hand out for her.
When we’re alone, standing by the jukebox as it plays a Billy Idol song, Fran still has a hold of my hand, and I look down at her, a little taken aback by just how pretty she looks. Her big blue eyes gaze up at me, and she offers a small smile that feels as if it gets me straight in the heart.
“I’m proud of you,” she says unexpectedly, squeezing my hand. “I wish you’d have told me, but I’m proud that you just did that.”
I try to play it cool, but honestly, I’m at a loss for words. I can’t remember the last time someone was proud of me.
“I wanted to thank you,” she continues after a moment.
I arch a brow. “Thankme? For what?”
“For setting things up with Alex. It’s made me realize that maybe you were right?—”
“I’malwaysright, Keller,” I interject with a dramatic roll of my eyes.
She nudges me in my chest, giggling, and again, the sound goes straight to my heart.Dammit.
“I mean about shifting my focus to the buyer’s side of real estate,” she explains. “I’m going to speak to Tony about it tomorrow. I’m going to do a business plan and everything.”
She’s so excited, and my chest swells with pride. I felt it when she told me she stood up to Tadd, and I’m feeling it now. I’m proud of Fran fucking Keller.
“You should,” I nod, encouragingly. “And I’ll help you any way that I can.”
“Thank you.” She moves in closer, and my arms instinctively wrap around her, holding her close, like that’s where they belong. She smiles up at me, and it’s suddenly like I’m in a daze. She is so damn beautiful, and I am in so much fucking trouble.
“We’re so excited to work with you, Robbie.”
I stand, shaking Stephen’s hand. “Thanks. I’m looking forward to it.”
Andy moves around the table, slapping Stephen on the back. “Have the paperwork finalized and sent to my assistant, and we can get things moving.”
